The Plate: The Dice Man Arrives

Website design By BotEap.comThe Red Sox need to get on planes heading west more often.

Website design By BotEap.comThree years ago, Boston general manager Theo Epstein boarded a plane for Arizona on Thanksgiving, dropped into Curt Schilling’s kitchen, and wouldn’t leave until he had Schilling’s name on a huge contract. free agent. One bloody sock later, and the Red Sox were the 2004 world champions.

Website design By BotEap.comThis winter, Epstein and his owner, John Henry, raced across the country to intercept Japanese wunderkind Daisuke Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras. Up to that point, Boras and the Red Sox had traded leaks indicating how frustrated they were with each other, that they weren’t in the same ballpark, money-wise, that there was a possibility Matsuzaka would return to Japan instead of emigrate to Japan. United States to play in Boston. The Red Sox, who posted an impossible $51.1 million for the trading rights to Dice Man (his first name is pronounced “Dice-Kay”), would take that money back and explore investing it elsewhere. , as in some ancient sailor named Roger Clemens. The Boston media was ready to pounce on a public relations disaster.

Website design By BotEap.comBut it seems that once Theo Epstein gets on a plane, things work out. Within hours of the Red Sox arriving at Boras’ offices, a different kind of leak began to emerge: The sides were getting closer, Boras was falling for his exorbitant demands, and Boston was about to get its man. Matsuzaka, 26, is Japan’s best pitcher, leading his nation to the World Baseball Classic title this spring, winning 17 games for the Seibu Lions this year and throwing 96. He also reportedly features a dazzling variety. softest pitches you can. throwing for strikes at any time, a description that makes you think of another former Boston pitcher, a guy named Pedro. Now the Red Sox will have a rotation consisting of Schilling, Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon, who could be the best in the majors, if Dice Man works.

Website design By BotEap.comBoston still needs a closer, but at this point, out of the back of the bullpen, I daresay the Red Sox actually look better than the Yankees on paper. It’s December, so Red Sox Nation needs to relax, but if Dice Man brings it the way everyone who’s seen him pitch in Japan says he will, this flight west will prove just as profitable as the from three years ago.

Website design By BotEap.comAnd if he dont do it?

Website design By BotEap.comIt won’t be any fun being the Dice Man.

Website design By BotEap.comThere are three weeks left in the NFL regular season. Give me a team that’s not going to qualify for a first-round bye that’s going to be in the Super Bowl.

Website design By BotEap.comBoDog Bookmakers, BoDog.ws: I can’t, because Chicago and San Diego will have the bye and will meet in the Super Bowl.

Website design By BotEap.comAn eight-team college football tournament is a must. Someday. For now, we can only reproduce it in our minds. Who wins these first-round games and gives us a brief capsule of each: (#8) Wake Forest at (#1) Ohio St.; (#7) Oklahoma at (#2) Florida; (#6) Louisville at (#3) Michigan; (#5) USC at (#4) LSU.

Website design By BotEap.comBDB, BoDog.ws: State of Ohio for 21 or more. Wake Forest has been hot lately, which is a surprise, but they are still no match for the Buckeyes. Smith will make the most of Wake Forest’s poor air defense. As for Oklahoma, they’ll keep it close, possibly within a field goal against the recently “overrated” Gators. We could definitely look for coverage in the Sooners spread, though Florida wins the game. Considering Louisville ranks in the top three offenses in the nation, their game against Michigan will be a great one to watch against the tough Wolverine D. Look for this one to play out similar to the game against Ohio State, except this time with Michigan. to beat by a score. Lastly, LSU’s highly-rated pass defense keeps John David Booty in check for most of their tilt against Southern Cal, and in the run they won’t produce. LSU covers the spread and wins outright to annoy favorite Trojans.

Website design By BotEap.comWho is your favorite A-1 signing this major league offseason and why?

Website design By BotEap.comBDB, BoDog.ws: Alfonso Soriano, because he can bring the humble Cubs back to contention in the NL Central, or at least close to the .500 mark next year. The combination of Soriano and Derek Lee will be tough for opposing pitchers to beat.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat is your favorite story from the NBA season so far?

Website design By BotEap.comBDB, BoDog.ws: Iverson could get out of Philly. As an Iverson fan, I’d love to see him join a team with some hope of making the playoffs. He needs to get out; it’s just never going to happen for him in Philly.

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